Northern Beaches August 22, 2013
Jim Tate and friends from Tidewater, VA, with a catch of gaffer dolphin and yellowfin tuna they hooked while trolling offshore of Oregon Inlet on the “Strike’Em.”
Betty, of TW’s Tackle, reports that anglers are hooking sea mullet, spot, and some pompano while surf fishing from the local beaches. Shrimp and bloodworms are tempting bites from all three.
Anglers are hooking much of the same from the piers, along with a few bluefish, spanish mackerel, and puppy drum.
There’s still some decent speckled trout action around the little bridge on the causeway, and anglers are also hooking a few flounder. Live baits or Gulps and other soft plastics will fool the flatfish and specks.
A few croaker are falling for bottom rigs off the little bridge.
The puppy drum and speckled trout action continues for boaters fishing the sound from Oregon Inlet on up to Manteo and Kitty Hawk.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are still feeding around Oregon Inlet and biting trolled Clarkspoons and other lures.
Anglers bottom fishing at offshore structure are connecting with triggerfish and some amberjacks. Tilefish are feeding at deeper spots and also making their way into the fish boxes.
Offshore, the meatfish bite is still going strong with wahoo, dolphin, and healthy yellowfin tuna biting trolled ballyhoo and lures.
The fall white marlin bite has finally kicked off, and boats are releasing big numbers of whites while trolling ballyhoo along with dredge and daisy chain teasers.
Ashley, of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, reports that the white marlin action is fast and furious off Oregon Inlet right now. Double-digit numbers of releases haven’t been uncommon in the past few days, and boats are seeing nearly twice as many as they’re letting go. Some blue marlin and sailfish are in the mix as well. Naked and skirted ballyhoo trolled alongside dredge and daisy chain teasers are fooling most of the billfish.
Geo Craig, of Elizatbeth City, NC, with his first cobia of the year, a 20 lb. fish that bit a live bait off the end of Jennette’s Pier.
Dolphin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo are all feeding offshore, too, but most boats have been focusing on the marlin recently.
Inshore boats are hooking plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel while trolling small spoons around Oregon Inlet and along the beachfront.
Bottom fishing at nearshore structure is producing some solid catches of triggerfish.
Amberjacks are feeding at heavy structure like the towers and attacking live baits.
Rob, of Strike’Em Sportfishing, reports that anglers are seeing a stellar white marlin bite off Oregon Inlet right now. Many boats are reporting double-digit numbers of releases and seeing many more fish than that.
Good numbers of bailer dolphin are still around on many days as well. Boats are also hooking a few tuna and wahoo, but marlin have been the primary targets lately.
Skirted and naked ballyhoo are fooling the majority of the offshore pelagics.
Mike, of Jennette’s Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are decking a wide variety of fish right now, including spot, croaker, sea mullet, pigfish, spadefish, triggerfish, and more. Most are taking an interest in shrimp, squid, and bloodworms on double-drop rigs.
Some bluefish are also biting the bottom rigs and metal lures that anglers are working.
One cobia was landed over the weekend.
